Long-range shotshell

ABSTRACT

A cartridge including a casing, said casing having a base at one end and a mouth at the other end, a propellant in said casing adjacent said base, ignition means to ignite said propellant, wad means positioned over said propellant, a projectile-surrounding member adjacent said wad means, a plurality of elongated projectiles arranged in said member and extending substantially longitudinally of said casing, filler means dispersed in and occupying the spaces between said projectiles to maintain the projectiles in a predetermined arrangement and control the dispersion of the projectiles, and a closure closing said mouth.

Mite tates Ratent Critcher et al 102/93 3,092,026 6/1963 Williams et al.102/42 3,099,958 8/1963 Daubenspeck et al. 102/42 3,216,321 11/1965 Nullet a1. 102/42 3,217,648 11/1965 Foote et a1. 102/42 FOREIGN PATENTS1,105,279 6/1955 France 102/43 (P) Primary Examiner- Robert F. StahlAttorneys-Donald R. Motsko, H. Samuel Kieser, Richard S.

Strickler and George .1. Koeser ABSTRACT: A cartridge including acasing, said casing having a base at one end and a mouth at the otherend, a propellant in said casing adjacent said base, ignition means toignite said propellant, wad means positioned over said propellant, aprojectile surrounding member adjacent said wad means, a plurality ofelongated projectiles arranged in said member and extendingsubstantially longitudinally of said casing, filler means dispersed inand occupying the spaces between said projectiles to maintain theprojectiles in a predetermined arrangement and control the dispersion ofthe projectiles, and a closure closing said mouth.

mzmmuslwn 3.599.568

[16-4 FIG? RICHARD J SHELLNUTT EARL R. JEN/(INS A T TOR/V5 V LONG-RANGESHOTSHELL This invention relates to a long-range shotshell.

This invention, more specifically, relates to a shotshell having aneffective range two or more times greater than the range of aconventional shotshell.

To obtain this increased range, the shotshell of this invention isprovided with elongated, needlelike finned projectiles in place of theordinary round shot normally found in conventional shotshells. Theseelongated projectiles are positioned in a protective cup placed insidethe shotshell casing. A filler material is dispersed in the spacesbetween the individual projectiles to hold the projectiles in apredetermined orientation as they are driven down the barrel of ashotgun or the like.

This invention will now be described in detail with a reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a sectional side view of a long-range shotshell made inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the barrel-protecting cup member usedin the shotshell embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top-plan view of the cup member shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a projectile used in the shotshell ofthis invention.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment'of this invention, utilizing anintegral wad structure.

FIG. 7 shows an integral wad and cup structure which can be used withthis invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, we show a shotshellformed according to this invention and including a tubular casing 1formed from paper or rigid polyethylene. A cup-shaped metallic head 2 isfixed to base 3 of casing I. A wound base wad 4 is compressed into thebase 3 to frictionally retain base 3 in metallic head 2. A primeropening 5 is formed in the metallic head 2 and the base wad 4communicating with the interior of the casing. A primer 6 is positionedin said primer opening. A charge of propellant powder 7 is positionedabove the base wad. Positioned over the powder charge is a cup wad 8 andfiller wad structure 9. Positioned over the filler wad 9 is aprojectile-carrying cup 10.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cup 10 is preferably cut into fourpie-shaped sections, 1 I, I2, 13, and 14, by four slits which extendlongitudinally through the sidewall and into the bottom of the cupleaving only a portion uncut to hold the cup together. It has been foundthat this configuration allows the cup to separate immediately from theprojectiles 16 as the cup 10 and projectiles 16 emerge from the gunbarrel without imparting any canting force to the projectile, which willaffect the stability and the dispersion patterns of the projectiles. Thecup 10 may be cut to provide fewer than or more than four sections solong as the cup readily separates from the projectiles upon leaving thegun barrel.

As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the projectiles 16 are preferably loadedinto the shotshell in two concentric rows. The projectiles in the outerrow are preferably canted inwardly at an angle of approximately 15(included angle) with the finned ends adjacent the sidewall of the cup10 and the tips 17 of the projectiles brought together to form an outercircle as seen in FIG. 2. The inner row of projectilesare positionedaxially aligned with the casing. This arrangement has been found to bepreferable in providing a tighter dispersion pattern than the alternatearrangement of positioning all the projectiles axially aligned with theshotshell casing.

As seen in FIG. 1, a filler 18, such as granulated polyethylene, isdispersed in the spaces existing between the projectiles. The fillerholds the projectiles in a predetermined alignment in the casing andmaintains the alignment as they travel down the barrel of the firearm.The filler is very helpful in maintaining controlled dispersion of theprojectiles since it holds them in a predetermined alignment as theyemerge from the muzzle of the barrel. A metallic disc 19 is positionedin the bottom of the cup 10 to prevent the projectile fins 20 fromcutting into the bottom of the cup member 10 as the projectiles 16 areaccelerated out of the cartridge casing.

The mouth 21 of the cartridge casing is closed by infolding to provide awell-known and conventional integral closure 22.

It should be noted that when the projectiles are loaded in the casing, aspace exists between the closure and the tips of the projectiles. Thisspace is also filled with filler 18. This provides a cushioning layer ofmaterial between the closure 22 and projectiles which acts to open theclosure upon firing of the cartridge. This arrangement prevents thepointed tips 17 of the projectiles from becoming embedded in the closureand interfering with the dispersion pattern of the shotshell as it isfired.

Referring now to FIG. 5, we show an enlarged view of the projectile 16used in this invention. The projectile 16 includes a pointed tip 17 atone end, an elongated body 23 and a plurality of fins 20 formed integralwith or secured to the other end. Preferably, four fins are provided oneach projectile. The fins 20 are canted at a slight angle relative to anormal angle to increase the flight stability of the projectile. Acanted angle of about 125 has been found satisfactory.

Referring now to FIG. 6, we show a long-range shotshell similar to theembodiment of FIG. 1 but varying in certain details. The casing 30 shownin FIG. 6 is a plastic casing of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,171,350, having a tubular body portion 31 of high tensile strength andintegral head portion 32.

The casing 30 of FIG. 6 requires no separate base wad and is providedwith a conventional primer 33. A powder charge 34 is located inside thecasing, adjacent to the shell primer. An over-powder wad 8', filler was9, disc 19' and projectile-carrying cup 10 are provided in casing 30,which are structurally and functionally the same as those shown in theFIG. 1 embodiment.

Projectiles 16 are shown positioned in casing 30 all axially alignedwith respect to the sidewall of the casing. While this arrangement ofthe projectiles may not be as effective under all firing conditions asthe canted arrangement shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, it doesprovide a satisfactory and workable arrangement.

As in the FIG. 1 embodiment, a granulated filler is positioned in thecasing in the spaces provided between the projectiles and over theprojectiles between the tips and the shell closure. The mouth of thecasing 30 is closed by infolding in the same manner as the casing shownin FIG. 1.

In FIG. 7 is shown an integral wad and projectile-carrying cup member 40which can be used in place of the separate over-powder wad, filler wad,and described above.

Member 40 includes an obturating skirt portion 41, a filler portion 42,and a projectile-carrying cup portion 43. The cup 43 is provided withslits 44 which allow the cup to open up and release the projectiles asthey leave the gun muzzle.

Of course, any combination of elements which function as an over-powderwad, filler wad, and projectile-enclosing cup is contemplated. In someinstances, it is even contemplated that the filler wad or its equivalentstructure may be eliminated should it be desired to provide space forlonger projectiles or other reasons.

A sample, made in accordance with this invention, comprising fiverounds, each having 20 projectiles, and fired at yards, ,had an extremespread of the IQ ciosest projectiles of 60.6 inches.

At 150 yards the projectiles were moving with a velocity sufficient tocause penetration through at least one side of an infantrymans helmet.

This is at least twice the effective range which can be achieved withbuckshot or regular shot.

While this invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, it is understood that variations anddesign changes are contemplated which are within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What we claim is:

projectile-carrying cup 1. A cartridge including a casing, said casinghaving a base at one end and a mouth at the other end, a propellant insaid casing adjacent said base, ignition means to ignite saidpropellant, wad means positioned over said propellant, aprojectilesurrounding member adjacent said wad means, a plurality ofelongated projectiles arranged in said member and extendingsubstantially longitudinally of said casing, filler means dispersed inand occupying the spaces between said projectiles to maintain theprojectiles in a predetermined arrangement and control the dispersion ofthe projectiles and a closure closing said mouth.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said filler means is a granularsubstance.

3. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said projectiles are arranged insaid casing in a pattern including an outer circular row, theprojectiles in said circular row being canted inwardly at an anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of said cartridge.

4. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said projectiles are arranged insaid casing in two concentric circular rows, an outer row including aplurality of projectiles each canted inwardly toward the central axis ofsaid casing and an inner row including a plurality of projectilesaxially aligned with the casing.

5. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said member is an openended cupincluding a sidewall and base, said cup having a plurality of slitsextending longitudinally through the sidewall and into the base todivide said cup into a plurality of sections hinged centrally of thebase.

6. The cartridge of claim 5 in which said projectiles each have anelongated body, a pointed nose and a plurality of fins, said fins beingcanted at a slight angle to increase the stability of said projectile.

7. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said wad means and said member area single integral unit molded from plastic.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said closure is an integral closureformed by infolding the sidewall adjacent the mouth of the casing andthe base of the casing is formed integral with the sidewall.

9. A long-range shotshell type cartridge comprising a casing, apropellant charge in said casing, wad means positioned over saidpropellant including a flanged obturating wad having a skirt portiondirected toward said propellant, a cup-shaped projectile-carrying memberpositioned over said wad means, said cup-shaped member having a sidewalland a base, a plurality of slits extending through said sidewall andinto said base to allow said member to separate into a plurality ofsegments as it leaves the barrel of a firearm, a plurality of elongatedfinned projectiles positioned in said cup in a predeterminedarrangement, at least some of said projectiles being canted inwardlytoward the axis of said casing, a filler dispersed in and filling thespaces between said projectiles to maintain said ar rangement until theprojectiles leave the gun barrel, and a layer of said filler means in aspace formed between the ends of said projectiles and a closure of saidcasing to facilitate opening said closure.

10. The cartridge of claim 9 in which said filler is granulatedpolyethylene. V

11. The cartridge of claim 9 in which said slits divide said member intofour pie-shaped segments connected centrally of the base.

12. The cartridge of claim 9 in which said projectiles are arranged intwo concentric rows, the projectiles in the outer row being cantedinwardly toward the axis of said casing and the projectiles in the innerrow being axially aligned with the casmg.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 599568 Dated August 17 1971 Inventor) Richard J Shellnutt et a1 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 9, line 15, after "arrangement" insert substantially aligned withthe logitudinal axis of said casing Signed and sealed this 22nd day ofFebruary 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCI'IERJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents :ORM P0-1U50 110-59) USCOMM-DC SCENE-P69 U S GDVEWNMENYPRINTING OFFICE I969 Q365'33l

1. A cartridge including a casing, said casing having a base at one endand a mouth at the other end, a propellant in said casing adjacent saidbase, ignition means to ignite said propellant, wad means positionedover said propellant, a projectile-surrounding member adjacent said wadmeans, a plurality of elongated projectiles arranged in said member andextending substantially longitudinally of said casing, filler meansdispersed in and occupying the spaces between said projectiles tomaintain the projectiles in a predetermined arrangement and control thedispersion of the projectiles and a closure closing said mouth.
 2. Thecartridge of claim 1 in which said filler means is a granular substance.3. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said projectiles are arranged insaid casing in a pattern including an outer circular row, theprojectiles in said circular row being canted inwardly at an anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of said cartridge.
 4. The cartridge ofclaim 1 in which said projectiles are arranged in said casing in twoconcentric circular rows, an outer row including a plurality ofprojectiles each canted inwardly toward the central axis of said casingand an inner row including a plurality of projectiles axially alignedwith the casing.
 5. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said member is anopen-ended cup including a sidewall and base, said cup having aplurality of slits extending longitudinally through the sidewall andinto the base to divide said cup into a plurality of sections hingedcentrally of the base.
 6. The cartridge of claim 5 in which saidprojectiles each have an elongated body, a pointed nose and a pluralityof fins, said fins being canted at a slight angle to increase thestability of said projectile.
 7. The cartridge of claim 1 in which saidwad means and said member are a single integral unit molded fromplastic.
 8. The cartridge of claim 1 in which said closure is anintegral closure formed by infolding the sidewall adjacent the mouth ofthe casing and the base of the casing is formed integral with thesidewall.
 9. A long-range shotshell type cartridge comprising a casing,a propellant charge in said casing, wad means positioned over saidpropellant including a flanged obturating wad having a skirt portIondirected toward said propellant, a cup-shaped projectile-carrying memberpositioned over said wad means, said cup-shaped member having a sidewalland a base, a plurality of slits extending through said sidewall andinto said base to allow said member to separate into a plurality ofsegments as it leaves the barrel of a firearm, a plurality of elongatedfinned projectiles positioned in said cup in a predeterminedarrangement, at least some of said projectiles being canted inwardlytoward the axis of said casing, a filler dispersed in and filling thespaces between said projectiles to maintain said arrangement until theprojectiles leave the gun barrel, and a layer of said filler means in aspace formed between the ends of said projectiles and a closure of saidcasing to facilitate opening said closure.
 10. The cartridge of claim 9in which said filler is granulated polyethylene.
 11. The cartridge ofclaim 9 in which said slits divide said member into four pie-shapedsegments connected centrally of the base.
 12. The cartridge of claim 9in which said projectiles are arranged in two concentric rows, theprojectiles in the outer row being canted inwardly toward the axis ofsaid casing and the projectiles in the inner row being axially alignedwith the casing.